Investigation effect of Weathering on Acetylated Beech Wood by FTIR Spectroscopy and Electron Microscopic

In this study acetylated Beech wood (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) has been subjected to a variety of artificial weathering conditions in different of times (0,150&300 h), then wood surface was analyzed for chemical changes using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and for structural changes using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed that weathering process influence by the functional groups on the wood surface. Cycle of weathering (Light and water) caused the damage to the surface polymer structure and chemical and physical changes. The greatest changes caused by the functional groups and Aromatic structure of lignin. The SEM results showed that the surface of wood exposed to weathering undergoes distinct Physical changes. The surface degradation appears to be directly proportional to the time of exposure to the weathering conditions and acetylation of the wood to protect the surface from damages caused by the weathering effect of light and water.